CN114074402A

CN114074402A - Injection molding system

Info

Publication number: CN114074402A
Application number: CN202110937402.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 丸山英伸; 丸山和伸; 菅野诚人
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2020-08-19
Filing date: 2021-08-16
Publication date: 2022-02-22
Also published as: JP2022034692A; JP7533006B2; US11931933B2; US20220055268A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an injection molding system. To provide a technology that can ensure a degree of freedom of customization and save space in an injection molding system equipped with multiple devices related to injection molding. The injection molding system includes a first unit equipped with an injection molding machine and an optional unit. The injection molding mechanism becomes a movable mold capable of installing a fixed mold and moving relative to the fixed mold. The optional unit includes at least one of the following: a second A unit is provided with a robot that moves the molded product after being molded by the above-mentioned injection molding machine; and a third unit is provided with at least one of a material dryer and a material supply section, the material dryer dries the material supplied to the injection molding machine The material supply unit supplies the material to the injection molding machine, and the first unit is configured as an optional unit that can be attached and detached.

Description

Injection molding system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an injection molding system.

Background

Regarding the injection molding system, a system including a plurality of molding units connected to a management device via a network is disclosed in patent document 1. The molding unit includes an injection molding machine, a temperature regulator for regulating the temperature of the mold, an imaging device for imaging the molded product, and a robot for taking out the molded product. The structure of each molding unit may be customized, and for example, there may be a structure including a molded article taking-out device instead of a robot, a structure including a molded article measuring device, or a structure not including a molded article imaging device, or the like.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-87689

In the above document, it is described that the respective devices constituting the molding unit are connected by a communication line, but the physical arrangement of the respective devices is not particularly mentioned. In recent years, miniaturization of manufacturing equipment is required, and also in an injection molding system equipped with a plurality of devices relating to injection molding, as described above, a technique capable of improving the degree of freedom of customization and saving space is required.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an injection molding system is provided. The injection molding system includes a first unit in which an injection molding machine configured to be attachable with a fixed mold and a movable mold movable relative to the fixed mold is arranged, and an optional unit including at least one of: a second unit configured with a robot for moving the molded product molded by the injection molding machine; and a third unit configured with at least one of a material dryer for drying the material supplied to the injection molding machine and a material supply part for supplying the material to the injection molding machine, wherein the first unit is configured to be capable of assembling and disassembling the optional unit.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an injection molding system.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an injection molding system.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of the injection molding machine.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a planar spiral.

Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the barrel.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the molding die.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating movement of the molding die in the comparative example.

Description of the reference numerals

11 … hopper; 12 … forming die; 12M … movable mold; 12S …, fixing the mould; 98 … stops; 99 … wheels; 100 … injection molding system; 110 … plasticizing means; 111 … planar spiral; 112 … barrel; 113 a heater 113 …; 114 … nozzle; 115 … screw drive; 116 … communication holes; 117 … mold cavities; 120 … injection control mechanism; 121 … injecting cylinder; 122 … plunger; 123 … plunger drive; 130 … mold clamping unit; 131 … molding die driving part; 132 … ball screw; 200 … first cell; 201 … end face; 202 … groove portions; 203 … material input port; 204 … raised strip; 205 … center portion; 210 … a first housing; 211 … guide groove; 212 … opposite faces; 215 … first base; 216 … second base; 220 … injection molding machine; 230 … controller; 235 … molding die temperature regulator; 240 … removing the device; 250 … handling device; 260 … gate cutting device; 300 … optional element; 310 … a plate-like member; 400 … second element; 406 … support rods; 407 … push-out mechanism; 408 … ejector pins; 409 … supporting plate; 410 … a second housing; 411 … spring; 412 … push out of the plate; 413 … thrust bearing; 420 … robot; 430 … inspection cell; 440 … stacking mechanism; 441 …, a first lifting device; 442 … a second lifting device; 500 … third element; 510 … a third shell; 520 … material supply means; 521 … material dryer; 522 … material supply; 530 … hot runner controller; 540 … heat medium temperature regulator.

Detailed Description

A. The first embodiment:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an injection molding system 100 in a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a top view of the injection molding system 100. The directions of X, Y, Z are shown in fig. 1 as being orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the + Y direction is a depth direction when the injection molding system 100 is viewed from the front, and the-Y direction is a direction toward the front. The + X direction is a right direction when the injection molding system 100 is viewed from the front, and the-X direction is a left direction. the-Z direction is the vertical direction and the + Z direction is the upward direction. The directions shown in fig. 1 correspond to the directions shown in fig. 2 and subsequent drawings.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the injection molding system 100 includes a first unit 200 and an optional unit 300. In the present embodiment, the optional unit 300 includes a second unit 400 and a third unit 500. In the present embodiment, the second cell 400 is disposed on the + X direction side with respect to the first cell 200, and the third cell 500 is disposed on the-X direction side with respect to the first cell 200. That is, the first unit 200 is sandwiched and disposed between the second unit 400 and the third unit 500. In the following description, in the case where the second unit 400 and the third unit 500 are not particularly distinguished, these units are simply referred to as optional units 300.

The first unit 200 is configured to be able to attach and detach the optional unit 300. In the present embodiment, at least one of the second unit 400 and the third unit 500 can be attached to and detached from the first unit 200. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, a plate-shaped member 310 for coupling is erected on the first unit 200 and the second unit 400, and the plate-shaped member 310 is connected to the first unit 200 and the second unit 400 by bolts, whereby the second unit 400 is detachably coupled to the first unit 200. The third unit 500 is detachably connected to the first unit 200 by connecting piping provided in the third unit 500 to the first unit 200. As the connecting means for detachably connecting the optional unit 300 to the first unit 200, the bolts and the pipes described above are not limited, and fasteners such as clamps and various metal fittings may be used.

As shown in fig. 1, the first unit 200 and the optional unit 300 each include a wheel 99, and each unit can move independently in a state where the first unit 200 and the optional unit 300 are not coupled. Further, a bolt-type stopper 98 is provided near the wheel 99 of each unit. The user can fix each unit or the injection molding system 100 at an arbitrary installation place by using the stopper 98.

The upper portions of the first unit 200, the second unit 400, and the third unit 500 may be covered by a cover, not shown. Foreign matter such as dust is suppressed from entering the injection molding system 100 by the cover. It is preferable that at least a part of the cover is made of transparent glass or resin so that the working condition inside can be visually recognized from the outside. In addition, a door for maintenance or an opening for ventilation may be provided in the cover.

The first unit 200 includes a first housing 210, an injection molding machine 220, a controller 230, a molding die temperature regulator 235, a take-out device 240, a handling device 250, and a gate cutting device 260. As shown in fig. 1, the first housing 210 includes a first base 215 and a second base 216, and the second base 216 is located vertically below the first base 215. The injection molding machine 220, the take-out device 240, the conveying device 250, and the gate cutting device 260 are disposed on the first base 215, and the controller 230 and the mold temperature regulator 235 are disposed on the second base 216. That is, the injection molding machine 220 and the controller 230 are arranged in the vertical direction on the first unit 200.

As shown in fig. 2, the injection molding machine 220 is configured to be able to mount the molding die 12. In fig. 1, the molding die 12 is omitted. The injection molding machine 220 is a device that molds a molded product by injecting and injecting a molten material into the molding die 12. The injection molding machine 220 is provided with a hopper 11 that receives a supply of material. The molding die may be made of either metal or resin. The molding die 12 is also simply referred to as a die.

The controller 230 is a device that collectively controls the injection molding machine 220, the take-out device 240, the transfer device 250, a robot 420, an inspection unit 430, and a stacking mechanism 440, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, the controller 230 is a PLC (programmable logic controller). The controller 230, which is formed of a PLC, is programmed with a language such as a ladder diagram language, thereby controlling the associated operations of the above-described devices.

The mold temperature controller 235 is a temperature control device for circulating a heat medium through a cooling pipe provided in the mold 12 to maintain the temperature of the mold 12 at a constant temperature.

The taking-out device 240 is a device for taking out a molded article molded and released by the injection molding machine 220 from the molding die 12. The take-out device 240 is disposed on the first housing 210 on the front side of the injection molding machine 220, i.e., on the-Y direction side. The take-out device 240 is composed of a hand for gripping the molded product and a linear actuator for moving the hand in the X direction and the Y direction. The take-out device 240 takes out the molded product from the injection molding machine 220 by hand, and moves the molded product taken out of the injection molding machine 220 to above the end portion on the-X direction side of the carrying device 250 by the linear actuator, thereby placing it on the carrying device 250.

The conveying device 250 conveys the molded product taken out by the taking-out device 240. The conveying device 250 is disposed on the first housing 210 on the front side of the injection molding machine 220, i.e., on the-Y direction side. That is, the take-out device 240 and the conveying device 250 are both disposed on the-Y direction side of the injection molding machine 220. In the present embodiment, the carrying device 250 is disposed adjacent to the + X direction side of the taking-out device 240. That is, the distance between the carrying device 250 and the second unit 400 is smaller than the distance between the taking-out device 240 and the second unit 400.

In the present embodiment, the conveying device 250 is constituted by a linear actuator capable of moving the molded article in the X direction. The conveying device 250 moves the molded product placed on the conveying device 250 by the take-out device 240 from the end on the-X direction side to the end on the + X direction side. A gate cutting device 260 is disposed in the conveying device 250, and the gate cutting device 260 cuts the gate portion and the runner remaining in the molded product. The gate cutting device 260 cuts the gate portion and the runner of the molded product conveyed by the conveying device 250 during the conveying process.

The second unit 400 includes a second housing 410, a robot 420, an inspection unit 430, and a stacking mechanism 440. The robot 420 and the inspection unit 430 are disposed on the second housing 410, and the stacking mechanism 440 is provided to protrude upward from the inside of the second housing 410. The inspection unit 430 is disposed adjacent to the + X direction side of the robot 420, and the stacking mechanism 440 is disposed on the-Y direction side of the robot 420 and the inspection unit 430. The second unit 400 is disposed on the movable mold 12M side of the fixed mold 12S and the movable mold 12M provided in the injection molding machine 220 with respect to the first unit 200.

The robot 420 is a device that moves the molded product conveyed by the conveying device 250. In the present embodiment, the robot 420 is configured as a scalar robot. The robot 420 of the present embodiment is integrally combined with a controller for controlling the robot 420. The robot 420 grips the molded article conveyed to the end of the conveying device 250 in the + X direction by the conveying device 250, and moves the molded article to the inspection unit 430. Further, the robot 420 moves the molded product, which has been inspected by the inspection unit 430, to a tray on the stacking mechanism 440 and places the molded product on the tray. The robot 420 is not limited to a scalar robot, and may be a vertical articulated robot having a plurality of axes.

The inspection unit 430 includes a camera for taking an image of the molded product. The inspection unit 430 performs an appearance inspection of the molded product based on the image captured by the camera. The molded product determined to be defective by the inspection unit 430 is discharged by the robot 420 to a predetermined defective product discharge area provided in the second housing 410.

The stacking mechanism 440 is a mechanism for stacking trays that accommodate inspected molded products conveyed from the inspection unit 430 by the robot 420. The stacking mechanism 440 includes a first lifting device 441 and a second lifting device 442. The robot 420 arranges a predetermined number of molded articles on the tray arranged on the first elevating device 441. When a predetermined number of molded articles are placed on the tray, the first lifting device 441 lowers the tray. The tray disposed at the uppermost portion of the second lifting device 442 is slidably moved by the slide mechanism and disposed on the lowered tray. Further, the tray may be moved from the second elevating device 442 to the first elevating device 441 by the robot 420. A plurality of trays are stacked on the second lifting device 442, and when the uppermost tray moves onto the first lifting device 441, the second lifting device 442 lifts the remaining trays. When a predetermined number of trays with molded articles arranged thereon are stacked on the first lifting device 441 in this manner, the production of the molded articles is temporarily stopped, and the worker takes out the trays stacked in the second housing 410 from the second housing 410 by opening a predetermined door provided in the second housing 410, and replenishes new trays onto the second lifting device 442.

The third unit 500 includes a third housing 510, a material supply device 520, a hot flow channel controller 530, and a heat medium temperature regulator 540. The material supply device 520 is disposed on the third housing 510, and the hot flow path controller 530 and the heat medium temperature regulator 540 are disposed in the third housing 510. In the present embodiment, a heat medium temperature controller 540 is disposed below the hot runner controller 530. The third unit 500 is disposed on the fixed mold 12S side of the fixed mold 12S and the movable mold 12M of the injection molding machine 220 with respect to the first unit 200.

The material supply device 520 includes a material dryer 521 and a material supply portion 522. The material dryer 521 stores a granular resin material used in the injection molding machine 220. The material stored in the material dryer 521 is dehumidified and dried in the material dryer 521, and is pressure-fed to the hopper 11 provided in the injection molding machine 220 through the material supply portion 522 configured as a loader.

Hot runner controller 530 is a device that adjusts the temperature of a hot runner nozzle installed in injection molding machine 220.

The heat medium temperature controller 540 is a temperature controller for cooling the heat medium used by the molding die temperature controller 235. The heat medium temperature regulator 540 is constituted by, for example, a circulation cooler (Thermo chiller).

Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of the injection molding machine 220. The injection molding machine 220 includes a plasticizing device 110, an injection control mechanism 120, a molding die 12, and a mold clamping device 130.

The plasticizing device 110 has a planar screw 111, a cylinder 112, a heater 113, a nozzle 114, and a screw driving section 115. The planar screw 111 is rotationally driven around a rotation axis RX by a screw driving unit 115 including a motor. A communication hole 116 is formed in the center of the cylinder 112. An injection cylinder 121 described later is connected to the communication hole 116. The rotation of the planar screw 111 by the screw driving section 115 and the heating by the heater 113 are controlled by the controller 230.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the planar spiral 111. The planar spiral 111 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a smaller height ratio than diameter in a direction along its center axis, i.e., in the axial direction. A spiral groove 202 is formed in an end surface 201 of the planar screw 111 facing the cylinder 112, centering on a flat central portion 205. The groove 202 communicates with a material inlet 203 formed in the side surface of the planar spiral 111. The material supplied from the hopper 11 is supplied to the groove 202 through the material inlet 203. The groove portion 202 is formed by being partitioned by the ridge portion 204. Fig. 4 shows an example in which three groove portions 202 are formed, but the number of the groove portions 202 may be one, or two or more. The groove 202 is not limited to a spiral shape, and may be a spiral shape or an involute curve shape, or may be a shape extending from the central portion toward the outer periphery so as to draw an arc.

Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the barrel 112. The barrel 112 has an opposite face 212 opposite the end face 201 of the planar flight 111. A communication hole 116 is formed in the center of the opposing surface 212. The opposing surface 212 is formed with a plurality of guide grooves 211 that are continuous with the communication hole 116 and extend from the communication hole 116 to the outer periphery in a spiral shape. The material supplied to the groove portion 202 of the planar screw 111 flows along the groove portion 202 and the guide groove 211 by the rotation of the planar screw 111 and is guided to the central portion 205 of the planar screw 111 while being melted between the planar screw 111 and the cylinder 112 by the rotation of the planar screw 111 and the heating of the heater 113. The material flowing into the central portion 205 is guided to the injection control mechanism 120 from the communication hole 116 provided in the center of the cylinder 112. Further, the guide groove 211 may not be provided in the cylinder 112.

As shown in fig. 3, the injection control mechanism 120 includes an injection cylinder 121, a plunger 122, and a plunger driving portion 123. The injection control mechanism 120 has a function of injecting the molten material in the injection cylinder 121 into a mold cavity 117 described later. The injection control mechanism 120 controls the injection amount of the molten material from the nozzle 114 under the control of the controller 230. The injection cylinder 121 is a substantially cylindrical member connected to the communication hole 116 of the barrel 112, and includes a plunger 122 inside. The plunger 122 slides inside the injection cylinder 121, and presses and feeds the molten material inside the injection cylinder 121 to the nozzle 114 provided to the plasticizing device 110. The plunger 122 is driven by a plunger driving unit 123 composed of a motor.

In the present embodiment, the nozzle 114 is configured as a hot runner nozzle. A heater is disposed around the nozzle 114, and the hot runner controller 530 adjusts the temperature of the nozzle 114 by controlling the heater.

The molding die 12 includes a movable die 12M and a fixed die 12S. The movable mold 12M and the fixed mold 12S are disposed opposite to each other, and have a cavity 117 therebetween, which is a space corresponding to the shape of the molded article. The molten material is pressure-fed by an injection control mechanism 120 and injected from the nozzle 114 into the cavity 117.

The mold clamping device 130 includes a mold driving unit 131, and has a function of opening and closing the movable mold 12M and the fixed mold 12S. The mold clamping device 130 rotates the ball screw 132 by driving the mold driving unit 131, which is formed of a motor, under the control of the controller 230, and moves the movable mold 12M coupled to the ball screw 132 relative to the fixed mold 12S to open and close the mold 12. That is, the fixed mold 12S is stationary in the injection molding system 100, and the movable mold 12M moves relative to the stationary fixed mold 12S, thereby opening and closing the molding mold 12.

In a state where the molding die 12 is mounted on the injection molding machine 220, the movable die 12M is provided with an ejection mechanism 407 for ejecting the molded product from the molding die 12. The push-out mechanism 407 includes a push-out pin 408, a support plate 409, a support rod 406, a spring 411, a push-out plate 412, and a thrust bearing 413.

The ejector pin 408 is a rod-shaped member for ejecting the molded article molded in the cavity 117. The ejector pin 408 is provided to penetrate the movable mold 12M and to be inserted into the cavity 117. The support plate 409 is a plate member that supports the ejector pin 408. The ejector pin 408 is fixed to the support plate 409. The support rod 406 is fixed to the support plate 409 and passes through a through hole formed in the movable die 12M. The spring 411 is disposed in a space between the movable die 12M and the support plate 409, and the support rod 406 is inserted. During molding, the spring 411 biases the support plate 409 so that the head of the ejector pin 408 forms a part of the wall surface of the cavity 117. The ejector plate 412 is fixed to the support plate 409. The thrust bearing 413 is mounted to the push plate 412 and is provided so that the head of the ball screw 132 does not damage the push plate 412. In addition, a thrust sliding bearing or the like may be used instead of the thrust bearing 413.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the movement of the molding die 12. When the mold clamping device 130 shown in fig. 3 drives the ball screw 132 to move the movable mold 12M by a predetermined distance in the + X direction with respect to the fixed mold 12S as shown in fig. 6, the-X direction side end of the ball screw 132 comes into contact with the thrust bearing 413, and the ejector pin 408 is no longer moved in the + X direction. In this state, if the movable mold 12M is further moved in the + X direction, only the movable mold 12M is moved in the + X direction while the ejector pins 408 are in contact with the molded article MD, and therefore the ejector pins 408 relatively push out the molded article MD in the cavity 117, and the molded article MD is separated from the movable mold 12M. That is, in the present embodiment, at the position where the molded article MD is stationary, the molded article MD is separated from the movable mold 12M without moving and protruding the ejector pin 408 itself. The take-out device 240 takes out the molded article MD thus released from the injection molding machine 220.

According to the injection molding system 100 of the present embodiment described above, since the optional unit 300 in which various devices are arranged can be detachably attached to the first unit 200 in which the injection molding machine 220 is arranged, the degree of freedom in customizing the injection molding system 100 can be increased, and space can be saved compared to providing each unit or each device separately.

In the present embodiment, the second unit 400 provided with the robot 420 for moving the molded article is disposed on the + X direction side of the first unit 200. As shown in fig. 2, in a state where the molding die 12 is mounted on the injection molding machine 220, the movable die 12M from which the molded product is released is positioned on the + X direction side of the fixed die 12S. Therefore, the distance between the second unit 400 and the movable mold 12M is smaller than the distance between the second unit 400 and the fixed mold 12S. With such a configuration, since the distance between the robot 420 and the movable mold 12M from which the molded product is released is short, the molded product released from the movable mold 12M can be efficiently moved by the robot 420 regardless of the presence or absence of the take-out device 240 or the carrying device 250.

In the present embodiment, the third unit 500, in which the material supply device 520 for supplying the material to the injection molding machine 220 is disposed, is disposed on the-X direction side of the first unit 200. As shown in fig. 3, in a state where the molding die 12 is mounted on the injection molding machine 220, the fixed die 12S, through which the nozzle 114 of the injection material is inserted, is positioned on the-X direction side with respect to the movable die 12M. Therefore, the distance between the third unit 500 and the fixed mold 12S is smaller than the distance between the third unit 500 and the movable mold 12M. With such a configuration, the material can be efficiently supplied from the material supply device 520 to the injection molding machine 220, more specifically, from the material supply device 520 to the hopper 11 communicating with the plasticizing device 110 to which the fixed mold 12S is connected.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the molded article is taken out of the injection molding machine 220 by the taking-out device 240 instead of the robot 420, and the taken-out molded article is further conveyed to the vicinity of the robot 420 by the conveying device 250. Therefore, the taking out of the molded product and the movement of the molded product to the inspection unit 430 can be shared by different devices, and thus the cycle time can be shortened.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the second unit 400 is provided with an inspection unit 430 that inspects the molded article, and the robot 420 moves the molded article from the first unit 200 to the inspection unit 430. Therefore, in the injection molding system 100, not only the molding of the molded product but also the inspection of the molded product can be performed. Further, in the present embodiment, the robot 420 arranges only the molded product determined to be normal by the inspection unit 430 on the tray, and therefore, the period from the manufacture to the shipment can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, the injection molding machine 220 and the controller 230 for controlling the injection molding machine 220 are arranged in the vertical direction in the first unit 200, and therefore, the space of the injection molding system 100 can be saved. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the controller 230 is disposed below the injection molding machine 220, the controller 230 is less susceptible to heat generation of the injection molding machine 220.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the third unit 500 is provided with the heat medium temperature regulator 540, it is not necessary to receive supply of the cooled heat medium from the outside. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the installation of the injection molding system 100 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, since the material is melted by using the flat screw 111, the injection molding machine 220 can be downsized. Therefore, the injection molding system 100 can be constructed compactly.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the movable mold 12M is moved relative to the fixed mold 12S in the + X direction, so that the ejector pins 408 protrude from the movable mold 12M toward the fixed mold 12S. In contrast, in the comparative example shown in fig. 7, after the movable mold 12M is moved in the + X direction by a predetermined distance with respect to the fixed mold 12S, the movable mold 12M is stopped, and the ejector pins 408 themselves are moved in the-X direction. Therefore, in the comparative example, as the molded article MD moves with the movement of the ejector pin 408, the distance d2 between the fixed mold 12S and the molded article MD at the time of mold release is smaller than the distance d between the fixed mold 12S and the molded article MD before the ejector pin 408 is moved in the-X direction. That is, when the ejector pin 408 itself is moved, the possibility that the position at which the molded article MD is released from the mold may vary for each molding is increased. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, since the movable mold 12M is moved to perform the mold release without moving the ejector pins 408, the molded article MD can be separated from the movable mold 12M without changing the distance d between the fixed mold 12S and the molded article MD before and after the mold release. Therefore, the molded product can be taken out with high accuracy by the taking-out device 240.

B. Other embodiments are as follows:

(B-1) in the above embodiment, each device provided in the first casing 210, the second casing 410, or the third casing 510 may also be configured to be suspended from a support provided near the top of the injection molding system 100. For example, the robot 420 may be suspended and disposed above the second housing 410 instead of the second housing 410 in the second unit 400. In addition, for example, the hot flow channel controller 530 may be disposed above the third case in the third unit 500 instead of inside the third case 510.

(B-2) in the above embodiment, the first unit 200 is equipped with the molding die temperature adjuster 235, but the molding die temperature adjuster 235 may be equipped in the third unit 500. The mold temperature controller 235 and the heat medium temperature controller 540 may be provided with either one of them, or may be integrally formed as a temperature controller.

(B-3) in the above embodiment, the first unit 200 may not include a part or all of the taking-out device 240, the carrying device 250, and the gate cutting device 260. The robot 420 provided in the second unit may directly take out and move the molded article from the injection molding machine 220.

(B-4) in the above embodiment, the second unit 400 may not include any one or both of the inspection unit 430 and the stacking mechanism 440.

(B-5) in the above embodiment, the material supplying device 520 provided in the third unit 500 may include only one of the material dryer 521 and the material supplying part 522. For example, in the case where the material supply device 520 includes only the material dryer 521, the material supply portion 522 may be provided outside the first unit 200 or the injection molding system 100. In addition, in the case where the material supplying device 520 includes only the material supplying part 522, the material dryer 521 may be provided outside the first unit 200 or the injection molding system 100.

(B-6) in the above embodiment, the third unit 500 may not include any one or both of the hot flow channel controller 530 and the heat medium temperature regulator 540.

(B-7) in the above embodiment, the injection molding machine 220 moves the movable mold 12M to cause the ejector pins 408 to protrude from the movable mold 12M toward the fixed mold 12S. In contrast, as shown in fig. 7, the injection molding machine 220 may cause the ejector pins 408 to protrude from the movable mold 12M by moving the ejector pins 408 themselves.

(B-8) in the above embodiment, the plasticizing device 110 provided in the injection molding machine 220 performs the plasticizing of the material using the flat screw 111. In contrast, the plasticizing device 110 may plasticize the material using an In-line screw (In-line screw).

(B-9) in the above embodiment, a cooling fan for cooling the motor may be mounted on each motor provided in the injection molding machine 220.

(B-10) in the above embodiment, the taking-out device 240 may be constituted by a robot. The conveying device 250 may be a robot. The taking-out device 240 and the carrying device 250 may be replaced by a single robot having these functions.

(B-11) in the above embodiment, a plurality of devices may be provided for one injection molding machine 220. For example, if a plurality of inspection units 430 are provided for one injection molding machine 220, the time required for inspection can be shortened, and the cycle time can be shortened.

(B-12) in the above embodiment, the optional unit 300 includes the second unit 400 and the third unit 500. In contrast, optional cell 300 may include only one of second cell 400 and third cell 500, or may include more cells. The arrangement of the cells is not limited to the arrangement in a line, and may be an L-shape, a cross shape, or a rectangle when viewed from the Z direction.

C. Other modes are as follows:

the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, technical features of embodiments corresponding to technical features of the respective embodiments described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve a part or all of the above-described problems or to achieve a part or all of the above-described effects. In addition, if the technical feature is not described as indispensable in the present specification, it may be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an injection molding system is provided. The injection molding system includes a first unit in which an injection molding machine configured to be attachable with a fixed mold and a movable mold movable relative to the fixed mold is arranged, and an optional unit including at least one of: a second unit configured with a robot, wherein the robot moves the molded product molded by the injection molding machine; and a third unit configured with at least one of a material dryer for drying the material supplied to the injection molding machine and a material supply part for supplying the material to the injection molding machine, wherein the first unit is configured to be capable of assembling and disassembling the optional unit.

According to this aspect, since the optional units in which the robot, the material dryer, the material supply unit, and the like are arranged can be detachably attached to the first unit in which the injection molding machine is arranged, the degree of freedom in customizing the injection molding system can be increased, and space can be saved as compared with the case where each unit or each device is separately provided.

(2) In the above aspect, the optional unit may include the second unit, and a distance between the second unit and the movable mold may be smaller than a distance between the second unit and the fixed mold in a state where the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted to the injection molding machine. According to this aspect, the robot provided in the second unit can efficiently move the molded article released from the movable mold.

(3) In the above aspect, the optional unit may include the third unit, and a distance between the third unit and the fixed mold may be smaller than a distance between the third unit and the movable mold in a state where the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted on the injection molding machine. According to this aspect, the material can be efficiently supplied from the material dryer or the material supply portion provided in the third unit to the injection molding machine.

(4) In the above aspect, the first unit includes a taking-out device for taking out the molded product from the injection molding machine and a conveying device for conveying the molded product taken out by the taking-out device, and the robot disposed in the second unit can move the molded product conveyed by the conveying device. According to this mode, the molded product can be divided into the taking-out and the moving by different devices, and therefore, the cycle time can be shortened.

(5) In the above aspect, the optional unit may include the second unit, the second unit may include an inspection unit that inspects the molded product, and the robot may move the molded product from the first unit to the inspection unit. According to this aspect, in the injection molding system, not only the molding of the molded product but also the inspection of the molded product can be performed.

(6) In the above aspect, the injection molding machine and a controller that controls the injection molding machine may be arranged in the first unit in a vertical direction. In this way, space of the injection molding system can be further saved.

(7) In the above aspect, the optional unit may include the third unit, and the third unit may have a temperature adjuster for adjusting a temperature of a molding die provided in the injection molding machine. According to this manner, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the injection molding system can be improved.

(8) In the above aspect, the injection molding machine may include an ejector pin that protrudes from the movable mold toward the fixed mold by movement of the movable mold in a state where the fixed mold and the movable mold are attached to the injection molding machine, and that pushes the molded product out of the movable mold. According to this aspect, since the ejector pin projects from the movable mold toward the fixed mold by the movement of the movable mold, the molded article can be detached from the movable mold without changing the position of the molded article.

Claims

1. An injection molding system, comprising:

a first unit provided with an injection molding machine; and

an optional unit is provided which is a unit,

the injection molding machine is configured to be capable of mounting a fixed mold and a movable mold that moves relative to the fixed mold,

the optional unit includes at least one of:

a second unit configured with a robot that moves a molded article molded by the injection molding machine; and

a third unit configured with at least one of a material dryer that dries a material supplied to the injection molding machine and a material supply portion that supplies the material to the injection molding machine,

the first unit is configured to be attachable and detachable to and from the optional unit.

2. The injection molding system of claim 1,

the optional unit includes the second unit and the second unit,

in a state where the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted to the injection molding machine, a distance between the second unit and the movable mold is smaller than a distance between the second unit and the fixed mold.

3. The injection molding system of claim 1 or 2,

the optional unit includes the third unit and the second unit,

in a state where the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted to the injection molding machine, a distance between the third unit and the fixed mold is smaller than a distance between the third unit and the movable mold.

4. The injection molding system of claim 1,

the first unit has a take-out device for taking out the molded product from the injection molding machine and a conveying device for conveying the molded product taken out by the take-out device,

the robot disposed in the second unit moves the molded article carried by the carrier.

5. The injection molding system of claim 1,

the optional unit includes the second unit and the second unit,

the second unit has an inspection unit that inspects the molded product,

the robot moves the molded article from the first unit to the inspection unit.

6. The injection molding system of claim 1,

the injection molding machine and a controller for controlling the injection molding machine are arranged in the first unit in a vertical direction.

7. The injection molding system of claim 1,

the optional unit includes the third unit and the second unit,

the third unit has a temperature adjuster for adjusting a temperature of a molding die equipped in the injection molding machine.

8. The injection molding system of claim 1,

the injection molding machine includes an ejector pin that protrudes from the movable mold toward the fixed mold by movement of the movable mold in a state where the fixed mold and the movable mold are mounted to the injection molding machine, and pushes the molded product out of the movable mold.